Toothbrush and toothpaste kit



15, 1953 A. ,J. ALBOREO ET AL 2,662,535

TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE KIT Filed Oct. 28, 1950 Patented Dec. 15, 1953 2,662,535 TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE KIT Andrew J. Alboreo and Melvin W. Pratt,

Akron,

Ohio

Application October 28, 1950, Serial No. 192,789 9 Claims. (01. 132-84) This invention relates to a kit comprising a combined toothbrush and toothpaste receptacle and, in particular, to a device adapted for dispensing the toothpaste directly. The prior art contains numerous examples of single containers for both a toothbrush and toothpaste, designed for the convenience of travelers, but invariably the container has been of a rigid nature adapted merely for storing either a tooth cleaning powder or a separate tube of the collapsible type, bearing toothpaste.

According to the present invention, the receptacle, or at least the part of it intended to carry the toothpaste, is of such a nature that toothpaste may be dispensed directly from it, by collapse of the tube, with the tube reverting to its normal form upon release of the collapsing pressure. This constitutes a collapsible dispensing tube which may be refilled with paste from time to time.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a collapsible toothpaste holder which is readily refillable. A further object of the invention is to provide a receptacle which has sufficient normal rigidity to provide a carrying container for an object such as a toothbrush and yet which is temporarily deformable for the purpose of dispensing material such as toothpaste by pressure on the container. In still greater particular, it is an object to provide a container having dual compartments adapted, respectively, to accommodate a toothbrush and toothpaste, and the container comprising a material which is temporarily deformable to provide for dispensing of toothpaste by collapse of the tube. Another and more particular object is to provide a container according to the foregoing in which a closure member for the toothbrush compartment serves the additional function of an adaptor for refilling the toothpaste compartment.

These and other ends are attained by the invention, one preferred form of which is described in the accompanying specification and illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a view showing toothpaste being dispensed from the combination kit, onto a toothbrush,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the kit,

Fig. 3 is a view in axial section of the kit of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a view in partial axial section showing toothpaste being injected into the storage compartment of the kit, and

Figs. 5 and 6 are end elevational views of the kit of Fig. 2, as seen, respectively, from the left and right ends thereof.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, there is shown a tube [0 of circular cross-section, having an open end I l and a frustoconical end portion It with a restricted opening I 3, and preferably beaded as at M to provide a flared opening and impart increased strength against rupture. A partition l6 divides the tube into respective compartments I! and i8. Compartment ll is intended for the storage and subsequent dispensing of toothpaste, and compartment It is intended to house a toothbrush l9.

End H of the tube is closed by a plug 2!] of thermosetting plastic or the like, having a reduced portion 2!, slightly tapered, for frictional fit in opening H, and this plug has an opening 22 through which the handle 23 of the toothbrush projects when the brush is stored in compartment l8. In order to restrain the handle 23 from axial movement outwardly of the plug, the handle is provided with a rib 2d of larger diameter than opening 22.

Plug 20 also serves the additional function of an adaptor for transferring paste from a conventional toothpaste tube to the compartment ll of the kit. For this purpose, the reduced portion 25 of the plug is internally threaded at 26 to mate with the standard thread 27 of a conventional toothpaste tube 28 (Fig. 4). Also, the outer part of plug 2% has a narrow, frusto-conical extension 29 adapted for forcing into the opening [3 of compartment IT for forcing paste through opening 22 into the said compartment. Preferably, extension 29 will have one or more flutes 3| to provide for escape of air from compartment 1! as the paste is inserted.

After charging of compartment ll with toothpaste, the opening is sealed by a suitable stopper. For quick action, a friction stopper such as that shown at 32 in Fig. 3 may be employed. This comprises a disc-form head 33 of sufiicient diameter to afford ready grasping by the fingers and an inner, pear-shaped portion 3t, adapted to readily penetrate opening it and lodge behind the same.

Tube l0, or at least that portion of the tube defining compartment I7, is preferably composed of a readily deformable material having elastic recovery, such that paste may be extruded from the tube without permanent deformation thereof, as is the case with conventional paste tubes. We have found that this and other purposes are served with quite satisfactory results by employing polyethylene plastic as the material of the tube. This material is tough, yet elastic, so as to be deformable to distort the tube, yet provide automatic recovery to normal form. The high permissible elongation permits enlarging of opening it, without unduly large applied force, to receive stopper 32 or filler plug extension 29. Furthermore, this material is highly impermeable and resistant to corrosion. Also, it may be transparent or translucent so that the supply of paste may be observed at all times.

While polyethylene is preferred, other deformable plastics may be employed, without sacrificing the essential benefits of the invention. For example, there may be used natural or synthetic rubbers of proper stiffness, yet resistant to cracking upon repeated creasing, bearing in mind that it will be found expedient, in the effective practice of the invention, to repeatedly collapse the tube walls so that the opposite sides thereof make contact throughout a considerable length of the tube.

The tube may be made in any convenient manner. For instance, partition I6 may be molded integrally with end I? or end [8, in which case the other end is attached by heat sealing or cementing. Or, the entire tube may be made in a molding operation and the partition then secured in place by appropriate means.

While opening 22 has been shown as circular in section, it may, of course, be rectangular in form to comport with the conventional shape of toothbrush handles, or it may be otherwise polygonal in form.

While a certain preferred form of the invention and specific details have been shown and described, it will be understood that this is mainly for purposes of illustration and that the invention is not to be deemed as limited, except insofar as shall appear from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A receptacle for isolated storing of a toothbrush and toothpaste comprising a tube, a partition in the tube defining separate compartments therein, said tube having an end opening in one compartmet of a size adapted to receive a toothbrush, a closure plug for said end opening, said tube having an end opening in the other compartment of restricted size relative to the end opening in said one compartment, and the material of said tube comprising, at least in the portion defining said other compartment, polyethylene.

2. A receptacle for isolated storing of a toothbrush and toothpaste, comprising a tube, a transverse partition in the tube defining separate compartments arranged in tandem, axially of the tube, said tube having an end opening in one compartment of a size adapted to receive a toothbrush, a closure plug for said end opening having an axial passage for accommdation of a toothbrush handle, said tube having an end opening in the other compartment of restricted size relative to the end opening in said one compartment, and the material of said tube comprising polyethylene.

3. A device as in claim 2, said closure plug having a tapered spout externally of said tube, adapted for insertion in said opening of restricted size.

4. A device as in claim 2, said closure plug having an internally threaded portion internally of said tube.

5. A device as in claim 2, said closure plug having an internally threaded cavity internally of said tube, and having a tapered spout externally of said tube, adapted for insertion in said opening of restricted size.

6. A receptacle for isolated storing of a toothbrush and toothpaste comprising a tube, a partition in the tube defining separate compartments therein, said tube having an end opening in one compartmet of a size adapted to receive a, toothbrush, a closure plug for said end opening, said tube having an end opening in the other compartment of restricted size relative to the end opening in said one compartment, and the material of said tube comprising, at least in the portion defining said other compartment, a plastic, deformable material having properties of full elastic recovery and resistance to cracking; said opening of restricted size having a flared mouth.

7. A receptacle for isolated storing of a toothbrush and toothpaste comprising a tube, a partition in the tube defining separate compartments therein, said tube having an end opening in one compartmet of a size adapted to receive a toothbrush, a closure plug for said end opening, said tube having an end opening in the other compartment of restricted size relative to the end opening in said compartment, and the material of said tube comprising, at least in the portion defining said other compartment, a plastic, deformable material having properties of full elastic recovery and resistance to cracking; said opening of restricted size comprising a beaded rim defining a flared mouth.

8. A receptacle for isolated storing of a toothbrush and toothpaste comprising a tube, a partition in the tube defining separate compartments therein, said tube having an end opening in one compartment of a size adapted to receive a toothbrush, a closure plug for said end opening, said tube having an end opening in the other compartment of restricted size relative to the end opening in said one compartment, and the material of said tube comprising, at least in the portion defining said other compartment, a plastic, deformable material having properties of full elastic recovery and resistance to cracking; a closure for said opening of restricted size comprising an external head, a neck portion adapted for lodgement in said opening of restricted size, and an internal head portion adapted to lodge behindsaid opening of restricted size.

9. A receptacle for isolated storing of a toothe brush and toothpaste, comprising separate tubular members including separate compartments joined in tandem, axially of the tube, said tube having an end opening in one compartment of a size adapted to receive a toothbrush, a closure plug for said end openi g having an axial passage for accommodation of a toothbrush handle, said tube having an end opening in the other compartment of restricted size relative to the end opening in said one compartment, and the material of said tube comprising polyethylene.

ANDREW J. ALBOREO. MELVIN W. PRATT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,266,413 Crump May 14, 1918 1,272,921 Crump July 16, 1918 1,420,581 Schoneman June 20, 1922 1,536,443 Lermer May 5, 1925 1,817,732 Boruss Aug. 4, 1931 1,844,036 Harrison Feb. 9, 1932 2,481,056 White Sept. '6, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 573,611 Great Britain Nov. 28, 1945 

